Manchester United v Leeds: Line-ups, stats and preview

Manchester United’s age-old rivalry with Leeds United gives the teams’ latest meeting “a little bit of a twist to it,” Red Devils head coach Michael Carrick says.

Victory at Old Trafford could move the hosts 10 points inside the likely Champions League qualification positions with six matches remaining, while Leeds are aiming to increase their cushion over the relegation zone as the Whites bid to secure Premier League football next season.

“It’s something you’ve got to thrive on and understand… what it means for the wider picture for so many people in different ways,” Carrick said of the evocative fixture.

“We’re just all aware of what the game means to the football club, to the supporters.”

Pascal Struijk was the hero of Leeds’ win on penalties at West Ham in the FA Cup quarter-finals last Sunday, scoring the decisive spot kick.

“I am very much an optimist because I always go into games thinking that we can win, thinking that we can play better,” explained the defender.

“We have to show great team spirit, quality on the ball and very good solid defensive behaviour.

“[United] have individual quality, so it will be a very tough challenge for us.”

Team news for Manchester United v Leeds

United will make a late decision on whether Lisandro Martinez will replace suspended centre-back Harry Maguire on a potential return from five matches out with a calf injury.

Patrick Dorgu is out with a hamstring problem but fellow full-back Diogo Dalot should be fit following illness.

Centre-back Matthijs de Ligt is continuing his rehabilitiation from a back issue.

Defender Joe Rodon and midfielder Anton Stach (both ankle) and winger Daniel James (adductor) are out for Leeds. 

Left-back Gabi Gudmundsson (groin), centre-back Jaka Bijol (knock) and forward Noah Okafor (back) are doubts.

Predicted line-ups for Manchester United v Leeds

Manchester United starting XI: Senne Lammens, Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, Bryan Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko

Leeds United starting XI: Lucas Perri, James Justin, Jaka Bijol, Pascal Struijk, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Ilia Gruev, Ethan Ampadu, Albert Gudmundsson, Brenden Aaronson, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Lukas Nmecha

Where to watch Manchester United v Leeds: TV and online streams

Kick-off on Monday is at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra.

Via Now TV, Sky Sports costs £14.99 for a day membership, £28 a month for a 12-month membership or £34.99 a month with no contract.

Sky Sports memberships include access to all 12 live Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+, which offers live streams and a dedicated channel.

Stats for Manchester United v Leeds

• Manchester United are unbeaten in 18 home league games against Leeds (W11 D7) since a 1-0 loss in February 1981 under Dave Sexton
• They have lost one of their last 20 league games against Leeds (W12 D7) and are unbeaten in all five evening kick-offs against them in the Premier League (W3 D2 – 19:00 or later)
• Michael Carrick has won all six of his Premier League games at Old Trafford as United boss (1 in 2021, 5 in 2026). Only Carlo Ancelotti (7), Sven-Goran Eriksson (9), and Manuel Pellegrini (11) have had longer winning starts at home as Premier League managers
• Bruno Fernandes has been involved in eight goals in six Premier League appearances against Leeds (6 goals, 2 assists), which is more than any other United player has against them in the competition
• The playmaker has created 101 chances in the Premier League this season, the third time he has created at least 100 in a campaign in the competition, after 2022/23 (119) and 2023/24 (114)
• The Portugal international is one of three players on record (from 2003/04) to achieve that feat in three separate Premier League seasons, along with Frank Lampard (2006/07, 2008/09, 2009/10) and Kevin De Bruyne (2016/17, 2017/18, 2019/20)
• Following their 1-1 draw at Elland Road in January, Leeds could avoid losing both league meetings with United in a season for the first time since 1994/95
• Leeds have failed to score in each of their last four Premier League games, the longest ongoing run in this season’s competition. Only from January to March 1982 have they ever gone longer without scoring in their league history (6 in a row) – a season in which they were relegated from the top-flight
• They have drawn seven of their last eight away games in the Premier League (L1), with no side drawing more on the road in the division in 2025/26 (Bournemouth and Man Utd have also drawn 7 each)
• The Whites have drawn their last four, only finishing level in more away games in succession once in their league history (6, from August to October 1998)
• Only Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins (374), United’s Bryan Mbeumo (369), and Brentford’s Igor Thiago (345) have made more off-ball runs in behind in the Premier League this season than Leeds’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin (282), accounting for 54% of his total off-ball runs (523)

Manchester United v Leeds prediction

Man United 2-1 Leeds

The hosts have scored at least two goals in each of their wins across their perfect five-match home record under Carrick, justifying their status as favourites. However, Leeds’ run of one defeat in their last 11 away games in all competitions – only being beaten by two Newcastle goals during second-half added time along the way – suggests the visitors will push them close.